Westhill baseball shuts out Wilton

Published 9:03 pm, Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Westhill's Ronald Jackson, left, and John Spoto celebrate their 9-0 win over Wilton following their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Westhill's Ronald Jackson, left, and John Spoto celebrate their 9-0 win over Wilton following their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Westhill pitcher Luke Dawson slips to the ground while fielding the ball making a throw to first from the ground during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0. less

Westhill pitcher Luke Dawson slips to the ground while fielding the ball making a throw to first from the ground during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips fields the ball during the Warrriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips fields the ball during the Warrriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Westhill's Casiano Hamer connects with the ball during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Westhill's Casiano Hamer connects with the ball during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Westhill second baseman John Spoto attempts to turn a double-play over the diving Harrison Sabo, of Wilton, during their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0. less

Westhill second baseman John Spoto attempts to turn a double-play over the diving Harrison Sabo, of Wilton, during their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Westhill center fielder Dante Fargnoli makes a catch during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Westhill center fielder Dante Fargnoli makes a catch during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Wilton left fielder James Meany attempts to make a diving catch during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Wilton left fielder James Meany attempts to make a diving catch during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Wilton right fielder Paul Sorbo misses a diving catch during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Wilton right fielder Paul Sorbo misses a diving catch during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Westhill's Luke Dawson dives back to first avoiding the tag from Wilton first baseman John -Tyler Morin during their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0. less

Westhill's Luke Dawson dives back to first avoiding the tag from Wilton first baseman John -Tyler Morin during their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Billy Blau was the relieving pitcher for Westhill during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Billy Blau was the relieving pitcher for Westhill during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips fires the ball to first during the Warrriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips fires the ball to first during the Warrriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Trevor Blond was the starting pitcher for Wilton during the Warriors' baseball game agasint Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Trevor Blond was the starting pitcher for Wilton during the Warriors' baseball game agasint Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Luke Dawson was the starting pitcher for Westhill during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Luke Dawson was the starting pitcher for Westhill during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Sean McEwan was the relieving pitcher for Wilton during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Sean McEwan was the relieving pitcher for Wilton during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Westhill shortstop Ronald Jackson fires to first during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Westhill shortstop Ronald Jackson fires to first during the Vikings' baseball game against Wilton at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips fields the ball during the Warrriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Wilton shortstop Brett Phillips fields the ball during the Warrriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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The Wilton bench looks on during their baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

The Wilton bench looks on during their baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Fans watch from the stands as Wilton's Trevor Blond pitches during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Fans watch from the stands as Wilton's Trevor Blond pitches during the Warriors' baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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The Wilton bench looks on during their baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

The Wilton bench looks on during their baseball game against Westhill at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0.

Photo: Jason Rearick

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Wilton's Paul Sorbo, center, looks for the cut-off man after missing a diving catch in right field during their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill won, 9-0. less

Wilton's Paul Sorbo, center, looks for the cut-off man after missing a diving catch in right field during their baseball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Westhill ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick

Westhill baseball shuts out Wilton

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STAMFORD -- When he first set eyes on the schedule, Westhill baseball coach DJ Mulvaney knew his team would be put to the test right away.

The Vikings had the top two ranked teams in the state (New Canaan and St. Joseph) and two perennial contenders (Wilton and Ridgefield) with games against highly touted Greenwich and Danbury also on the docket before the calendar flips to May.

So far, so good.

The Vikings (3-1, 3-0 FCIAC) beat St. Joseph and Ridgefield to begin the season and Wednesday cranked out 12 hits, beating Wilton 9-0 at home.

The Vikings host New Canaan Thursday.

It was just the kind of start the Vikings needed according to Mulvaney.

"With a tough schedule opening up it was important to get off to a fast start," Mulvaney said. "It's a rough stretch coming up, it's not easy. We are playing clean baseball right now and we will need to do the same every game coming up."

Wednesday, every time Wilton opened the door with an error or a mental mistake, the Vikings capitalized.

An error in the first inning led to the first run, extending the inning enough for Austin Nardi to drive home Luke Dawson, giving the Vikings a 2-0 lead after an inning.

Giving a good team like Westill extra outs is something Wilton (1-4, 0-3 FCIAC) can not afford to do with its lineup struggling according to coach Tim Eagen.

"We are not hitting at all and with a young pitching staff and defense, your margin of error is very small," Eagen said. "It puts pressure on our defense, we boot a ball there, first baseman drops the ball there and against a quality team you have to only give them three outs an inning. If you give teams four or five outs you are not going to win in this league."

An error on a bunt with two on in the fourth once again opened the flood gates with the Vikings adding seven more runs on five hits in the inning.

Ronald Jackson was 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs, Ryan Lee went 2 for 4 with a run and a RBI and Dawson reached base three times, scoring twice and driving in a run.

Dawson also pitched five innings, allowing just one hit to pick up the victory. Billy Blau worked the last two innings in scoreless fasion to preserve the shutout.

Jackson said once the bats get going, it's contagious among the team

"Once we get the first hit on, everyone is going to keep pounding," Jackson said. "You have to be the same as always. You can't think about the cold because it will screw you up. You just have to keep your mechanics working and hit the ball. That's what we have to do."